Photo via Spafford Press Release

On Saturday, November 23, Spafford took the stage at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver. During the night, the band known for their ability to deliver high-capacity improvisations and adapt mainstream songs into the jam circuit tapped Cool Cool Cool’s Sammi Garrett to apply her vocals to a cover of “Can’t Catch Me Now.” 

The song was initially released as part of the soundtrack, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a co-write between Olivia Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro. Initially presented as a chamber folk-leaning ballad, Garrett brought fast flair to Spafford’s take, elevating the number with a sensational rock pulse, and room for the band’s instrumental breakdowns.

Before Saturday’s show, the band’s preliminary concert at the Boulder Theatre on Friday, November 22, included another highly regarded cover. During the night, Spafford applied their own treatment to the Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun.” Their delivery served as the third time they covered the 1983 scorcher. 

Scroll down to watch a pro-shot video of Spafford, ft. Sammi Garrett.